Integrated Bumper Hood Release Handle for Grille Impact Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Truck hoods with grilles attached to the front edge pose challenges in minimizing grille vibrations and impact forces during hood closure, and existing hood release mechanisms require modification to comply with government regulations and accommodate the grille, while also being complex to manufacture and assemble.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle hood closure control and release system with a pivotally mounted hood release handle and an integrally mounted bumper made of EPDM rubber, which includes a semi-cylindrical overslam control member to prevent grille slamming and vibration, and a rib to limit bumper movement, allowing for a simple and efficient assembly on existing vehicles without significant redesign.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hood structure is made longer to accommodate a grille mounted at the front edge, then the grille can provide ventilation and protection, but the grille vibrates excessively and contacts the closure restraint with excessive force during hood closing
Solution Approach 1:
A bumper is attached to the hood closing restraint to provide cushioning contact with the grille during hood closing. The bumper absorbs impact forces and prevents the grille from slamming into the closure restraint, thereby reducing vibration and impact damage while maintaining the functional hood structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper acts as an intermediary element between the grille and the hood closing restraint. Instead of the grille directly contacting the rigid restraint, the bumper mediates the interaction, providing a compliant interface that reduces impact forces and vibration during hood closing.
2Reliability
If a two-stage hood release mechanism is implemented to comply with government regulations, then the hood can be securely latched, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires significant space for wiring and components
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary release handle is integrated with the bumper into a single combined component. This merging of functions allows the release mechanism to comply with two-stage hood release regulations while reducing overall complexity and eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and additional wiring harnesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated bumper serves multiple functions: it provides cushioning contact with the grille, structures the hood closing restraint, and incorporates the secondary release handle. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining regulatory compliance.
3Reliability
If existing vehicles are retrofitted with vibration control and hood release mechanisms, then hood safety can be improved, but significant redesign of the hood, grille or adjacent areas is required
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper and secondary release handle are combined into a single integrated component that can be attached to the existing hood closing restraint. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting operations and reduces the number of parts that need to be managed during assembly, facilitating easier retrofitting on existing vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper is designed to be attached to the existing hood closing restraint before final assembly, allowing for pre-positioning and alignment. This preliminary action simplifies the overall installation process on existing vehicles by establishing the vibration control and release functions early in the assembly sequence.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents grille slamming and vibration, simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process, and meets regulatory requirements by providing a reliable and efficient hood release mechanism for trucks with grilles attached to the hood.
Implementation Method 1
A bumper may be integrally mounted to the hood release for resiliently contacting the grille and preventing slamming of the grille
Implementation Method 2
The overslam control member may include a leg having an enlarged area disposable in a complementary slot in the hood release for attaching the overslam control member to the hood release
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle hood closure control and release system including a hood release mounted to a vehicle frame. The hood release may include a pivotally mounted hood release handle pivotable for unlatching a vehicle hood having a grille mounted thereon. A bumper may be integrally mounted to the hood release for resiliently contacting the grille and preventing slamming of the grille when the vehicle hood is moved from an open to a closed position.